This is TBA - I am writing prior to 9 am and this was released via Russian sources
Feb 19 2008 11:18AM
This was in this morning press briefing with Dana PerrinoKosovo autonomy is no precedent for other territorial conflicts - U.S.
TBILISI. Feb 19 (Interfax) - The U.S. Department of State issued a statement on Tuesday saying that any territorial conflict is unique and cannot be resolved using the fact of unilateral declaration of autonomy by Kosovo.
In its statement, the U.S. Department of State said separatist conflict in the world is unique and called on the international community to refrain from making public statements that jeopardize a peaceful settlement for conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The Department of State also called on all countries and organizations to re-confirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within the borders recognized by the UN Security Council.
Q Apparently the President did make some comments on this with NBC, The Today Show. So is his view that the United States is going to recognize their independence?
MS. PERINO: He didn't announce that, and as I said yesterday, that I'm not going to get in front of the process. I expect you'll hear from the State Department today. But he did say that the United States has long supported the Ahtisaari plan which, as I told you yesterday, called for a period of time of supervised independence for Kosovo and that the United States had been supportive of that. And so I expect that you'll hear something from the State Department and, as I said, you'll hear from the President tomorrow morning before he leaves.
Q He actually said that -- didn't he actually say that Kosovo is now independent?
MS. PERINO: What he meant by that is that the Kosovars have declared their independence.
Q He just stated the facts, not a policy or a position.
MS. PERINO: Correct. Correct.
Q Dana, when will we hear from the State Department?
MS. PERINO: At some point today, I mean, it's only in the morning there, so --
Q Four hours, three hours? Any idea?
MS. PERINO: I wish I could tell you, Roger; I don't know.
Q Why is he not making a statement today?
I would guess discussions of Kosova have been going on over the RED PHONE.
Here is timely reminder - a BLAST FROM THE PAST: BUILDING PEACE IN KOSOVA
July 23, 2000: "Th[e Airlie Conference] did, in fact, provide the first opportunity since the war for a broad group of representatives of Serb and Albanian communities to meet face to face. Perhaps the most difficult decision in a peace process is the choice to meet the other and to work together. At this meeting, the participants crossed that threshold. The event featured a productive, useful, and yet emotional and difficult dialogue among the participants. There was talk of suffering and of guilt. There were accusations, but there was also talk of reconciliation and the way forward. And it is a joint way forward that was discussed.
After an arduous, sometimes contentious process, there was a declaration upon which the participants agreed. The declaration is a very good start, but it is a beginning only. The dialogue begun at Airlie House will have to continue in Kosovo. Both sides understand this, and the Department endorses this effort.
As you can see, the declaration commits both sides to cooperate in the areas of elections, media, civil society, security, and returns . . .
--Ambassador John Menzies, Director of the Office of Kosovo Implementation
Excerpt from briefing on Kosovo leaders' "Pact Against Violence" declaration
Office of the Special Advisor
Bureau of European Affairs Home Page
Department of State Home Page
Yet, here is the "official" Kosova Bush "line", just two hours ago -
Bush Says Kosovo Independence Is Right
WASHINGTON (AP) — With President Bush leading the way from Africa, U.S. officials are working across a broad international front to shore up support for Kosovo's declaration of independence.
"The independence of Kosovo is an historic step for the Balkans region," Bush said Tuesday in Tanzania before flying to Rwanda. "It presents an opportunity to move beyond the conflicts of the past and toward a future of freedom and stability and peace."
With actions unfolding in the United Nations and the European Union to back Kosovo, Bush made clear it was all part of a calculated effort.
This strategy was well planned," Bush said, noting that "we had worked out with our European allies the sequencing of it, to make sure that there was a concerted and constant voice supporting this move."
He said Russia was involved in those consultations even though it does not back Kosovo's move.
"Actually, we have been working very closely with the Russians, as we have with the Europeans and other nations on Kosovo's independence, because we believe it's the right thing to do," Bush said. "You know, there's a disagreement, but we believe, as do many other nations, that history will prove this to be a correct move, to bring peace to the Balkans." He added that "we have been in close consultation with the Russians all along. This wasn't a surprise to Russia."
Bush urged Kosovo to uphold its agreement to protect the rights of minorities and pledged the United States will work with other nations to bring about a smooth and peaceful transition to independence.
Earlier, Bush in a letter promised Kosovo's new president, Fatmir Sejdiu, that "the United states will be your partner and your friend."
Serbia recalled its ambassador from Washington over the U.S. decision, and it has threatened to recall its envoys from all countries that establish diplomatic ties with Kosovo, though it said it would not sever relations.
"We feel that this is a travesty of international law. We feel that the negotiations should go on," Ambassador Ivan Vujacic said at a news conference Monday evening at the Serbian Embassy in Washington, adding that he would leave the United States within 48 hours. "We feel that the imposed solution concerning Kosovo is not the right solution and will not add to stability."
Russia and Serbia maintained at a U.N. Security Council emergency session that an independent Kosovo violates the council's orders.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice welcomed "the commitments Kosovo made in its declaration of independence" to implement a United Nations-backed plan, "to embrace multi-ethnicity as a fundamental principle of good governance, and to welcome a period of international supervision."
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that Rice telephoned him on Monday and that he "stressed our fundamental position that Pristina's unilateral actions in declaring the territory's independence of the territory are unacceptable." A ministry statement said Lavrov also emphasized "the danger of such a step, which threatens the destruction of the world order that has developed over centuries, and of international security."
Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns, at a news conference Monday, said, "I do not expect any kind of crisis with the Russians over this."
Burns said the nearly 17,000 NATO troops in Kosovo, including 1,600 U.S. forces, would remain in the country.
He also said that a donors conference would be held soon, and announced the United States was committing $334 million in U.S. assistance to Kosovo this year in addition to the $77 million provided in 2007.
Rep. Howard Berman, acting chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he supported the diplomatic recognition but added, "Now the work begins. The challenges ahead include tackling high unemployment and bolstering the country's weak economy, strengthening political institutions and the rule of law, and preserving security throughout the region."
Nothing that happens is really surprising on the world stage with the Bushistas at the helm. They do not slow moving diplomatic efforts - ask any country in the world!!
And here we all "go again" - wonder where the bumpy ride is going to take us. Meanwhile BuZh is in Africa and the rest of the crew are Turkey, figuring out how to line their pocket$ with the administration ends.
Condi better start tapdancing furiously in those high priced pumps of hers - the showdown continues ..
Veeger
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